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IBM XT build almost finished!

This IBM XT is coming together really nicely! This machine started out as an empty case, and I was going to build a 286 out of it, but the 286 motherboard I had didn't fit! So what I decided to do is obtain a real IBM XT motherboard, and build a real XT out of it.

The board I got is a 64-256KB mode, but I performed the 640KB hack on it, which worked out great. I also swapped out the AMD 8088 for an NEC V20.

This thing truly is a Frankenstein; It has the case and 5.25" floppy drive of a late-model XT, the motherboard of an early XT, a 3.5" floppy drive from a Hewlett Packard and a Seagate ST-412 from a DEC! I do plan on swapping the 3.5" drive out eventually for a proper black one.

It's an awesome machine, and I had a blast putting it all together! Now I've got two XTs along with my three 5150s!

Also, I found a Microsoft "gray-eyed" mouse on eBay for an irresistible price! This was Microsoft's second mouse, released in 1985 (the same year Windows was!). It is the 25-pin serial version, which is nice, because for the first time ever I won't have to use a 25-pin to 9-pin adapter for my mouse! This will be the primary mouse I use with my IBMs from now on. It hasn't arrived yet, but I'll post pics when it does!

I need a green-eyed mouse too! They actually aren't worth anywhere near as much a I thought. Love old mice, especially the Microsoft ones.